Leading Through Crisis: A Model for Education Collaboration

Globalization

Joseph S. Nye, Jr., University Distinguished Service Professor and former Dean of the Kennedy School at Harvard, contends that forces of globalization and the information revolution are changing the way leaders use power and leadership style to one of shared participation making the study of leadership more important than ever. 

Complex Social Problems

Communities face serious and complex problems today that no one organization can solve. Stakeholders have varied interests that need to be heard. Echoing back to Nye, globalization and technology have heightened the expectations and the demand for collaborative solutions to these problems. Others agree. A group of Brown University scholars whose quote is featured right, argue that communities need universities to produce educated leaders who are able to engage collaboratively and solve community problems (Newman Couturier & Scurry, 2004). In 2012, the Council on Graduate Schools specifically pointed to leadership as a "high-level competency" needed for the future.

Demographics

In addition to the forces of globalization and problems community leaders face, there may be fewer people qualified to take on the work.

• The world is facing an aging workforce with 78 million Baby Boomers reaching retirement.

• This is a shift. Between 1977 and 2007, the number of workers over age 65 increased 101%.

• Nationally, 7 million new social sector management jobs are expected. (BLS)

• Social sector management jobs will grow 27% between 2010 and 2020. A higher than average growth rate compared to other jobs. (BLS)

• "Encore Careers" - Work in an area of purpose could keep keep older Americans engaged in the workforce longer and ease this gap. 50% of Boomers say they want to start an Encore Career, but the transition can be difficult.